Method and user interface for downloading audio and video content filters to a media player

ABSTRACT

A client server arrangement for downloading media content filters from a server device to a client device. The media content filters define portions of a separate audio visual presentation containing potentially objectionable subject matter. Depending on user selections, identified portions of the audio/visual presentation may be skipped and/or muted during play. In one particular implementation, the client device, e.g., a DVD player, is configured to initiate a connection with a server device. Upon successful connection, the server device transmits one or more media content filters to the client device. The client device may be configured to determine whether a particular media content filter is available, to facilitate deletion of some existing media content filters in order to secure adequate memory space, and to ensure that the media player has an active account, before initiating a connection with the server device. The server device may be configured to determine whether the media player is associated with an active user account, whether a requested filter is available, and whether adequate memory space is available at the media player, before transmitting media content filters to the client device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional continuation applicationclaiming priority to pending U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No.13/174,345 titled “Method and User Interface for downloading Audio andVideo Content Filters to a Media Player” filed Jun. 30, 2011 whichclaims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/256,419(now U.S. Pat. No. 7,975,021) titled “Method and User Interface forDownloading Audio and Video Content Filters to a Media Player” filed onOct. 20, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/620,902, filed on Oct. 20, 2004, all of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein. Nonprovisional application Ser.No. 11/256,419 also claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/104,924 filed Apr. 12, 2005, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/561,851filed on Apr. 12, 2004, and also claims priority to and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/694,873 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,898,799) filed on Oct. 23, 2000, and claims priority toand is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/695,102 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,383) filed on Oct. 23, 2000, whichare also hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate generally to the use of content filtersfor filtered playback of multimedia content, such as movies or otheraudio-video content, playable on a digital video disk or digitalversatile disk (DVD) player, or similar media player. More specifically,the invention relates to downloading multimedia content filters to aclient device, such as a media player, from a server device by way ofsome communication medium, such as a dialup connection, networkconnection, internet, etc.

BACKGROUND

Technology currently exists which allows the user of a DVD player tofilter objectionable content of a DVD-resident audio or videopresentation, such as a motion picture, during playback on the player.This technology allows, for example, the viewing of a movie originallycontaining more adult-oriented content by younger, less mature viewers.Generally, the filtering function is provided by a media content“filter” resident within the DVD player that specifically applies to aparticular audio or video presentation, such as a movie. The filter,which is typically stored within a nonvolatile logic memory, such asflash memory, indicates which portions of the audio or videopresentation are to be skipped, or which audio portions are to be muted,by the DVD player during playback. Typically, whether the filter isemployed for a particular playback of the presentation may be determinedby the user by way of a menu selection system provided by the DVDplayer. Further, different forms of objectionable content, such asprofane language, sexually explicit content, and so on, may also beselectively filtered by way of the menu system. In some systems, thefiltering system may be protected by way of a user-defined password sothat those not privy to the password are unable to defeat the filteringmechanism.

Each filter specific to a particular presentation is typically producedat some point after a DVD of the presentation has been released. Thus,while some filters for preexisting movies may be pre-installed in theDVD player, the player normally also includes a method of accepting andstoring new filters as they are produced. Typically, filters areinstalled by way of a CD, DVD, or other disc readable by the DVD player.Therefore, a user inserts the disc containing the filters of interestinto the tray or slot normally employed for playback. The DVD player,recognizing the disc as one containing filters, installs the filtersfrom the disc, possibly at the guidance of the user by way of the playermenu system.

While filter delivery and installation via a disc is convenient,additional methods of installing the content filters in a DVD playerthat do not require the shipment of a disc from a filter provider to theuser or consumer may be advantageous.

SUMMARY

Generally, embodiments of the present invention provide a method andassociated user interface for downloading audio and/or video contentfilters to a DVD player or similar media player over a datacommunication medium.

One particular configuration of the present invention is a method fordownloading at least one media content filter from a remote storage. Theconfiguration comprises establishing communication with the remotestorage; requesting the at least one media content filter; receiving theat least one media content filter from the remote storage; and locallystoring the at least one media content filter in a local storage.

Another particular configuration of the present invention is a methodfor transmitting at least one media content filter from a remote storageto a local storage of a media player, the method comprises establishinga connection with the media player; receiving an identification of theat least one media content filter requested from the media player;determining whether the at least one media content filter is available;and transmitting the at least one media content filter to the mediaplayer.

Embodiments and advantages of the invention will be realized by thoseskilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of theinvention, presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a client server systemarrangement, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate various aspects of a method for loading filters ina client media player device from a server device, in accordance withaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a menu associated with a user's action of downloadinga filter;

FIG. 8 is a menu instructing a user to connect a phone line to the mediaplayer in order to download a filter;

FIG. 9 is a menu instructing a user to select the Filter Play button inorder to obtain a filter for a particular movie;

FIG. 10 is a menu instructing a user to select the Normal Play button inorder to play a movie with no filtering;

FIG. 11 is a menu providing information to a user concerning theactivity of the user's filter account;

FIG. 12 is a menu providing a user with the option to obtain a filter byway of a removable memory media or downloading via some communication;

FIG. 13 is a menu similar to that shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a menu providing the user with the option to purchase afilter and providing information concerning the price of the filter;

FIG. 15 is a menu similar to that shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a menu providing input windows for a user to enter apassword;

FIG. 17 is an informational menu providing information to the userconcerning establishment of a connection with the server;

FIG. 18 is a menu providing information to the user concerningdownloading of a particular filter or filters;

FIG. 19 is a menu providing information to the user concerning theinability to establish a connection with a server;

FIG. 20 is a user menu providing information concerning the successfuldownloading of a filter;

FIG. 21 is a menu providing information to the user that a particularfilter or filters are not available;

FIG. 22 is a menu providing information to the user concerning an errorin the downloading of a filter;

FIG. 23 is a user menu providing information to the user that aparticular filter is not available;

FIG. 24 is a user menu providing a way for a user to delete certainfilters in order to increase memory space for the storage of newdownloaded filters;

FIG. 25 is a user menu allowing a user to establish ISP information inorder for the client device to connect with a server by way of an ISPconnection;

FIG. 26 is a user menu providing an input window for a user to enter thedialup number for an ISP;

FIG. 27 is a user menu providing an input window for a user to enter auser name for the ISP;

FIG. 28 is similar to FIG. 27 but provides a window for entering apassword for the ISP;

FIG. 29 is a menu providing information to a user concerning the testingof an ISP connection;

FIG. 30 is a menu providing information about the successful connectionto an ISP;

FIG. 31 is a user menu providing information concerning the unsuccessfulconnection to an ISP;

FIG. 32 is a user menu providing an input window for a user to enter thedialup number in order to establish a dialup connection with the server;

FIG. 33 is a user menu providing information concerning the deletion ofcertain filters;

FIG. 34 is similar to that shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a user menu providing a listing of the oldest and/or leastused filters and prompting the user to delete these filters; and

FIG. 36 is a user menu similar to that shown in FIG. 35.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one particular system 10 configuration conforming toaspects of the present invention. Generally, the system is in a clientserver arrangement. The client computing platform 12 may be provided inany computing arrangement. In one particular example, the media playeris a DVD player operably coupled with a display 14, such as atelevision. The server computing platform 16 may also be provided in anycomputing arrangement. The server is operably coupled with some form ofdata storage arrangement 18 configured to store some number of mediafilter files. In one particular arrangement, the server computing deviceincludes a Linux based operating system and a file system (hard driveand drivers for accessing content) where the individual media filterfiles are stored. The files are sent via an ftp client/serverrelationship when the client media player connects with the serverthrough a modern connection.

The client computing platform 12 includes media filtering capability ofsome sort. Additionally, the storage 18 of the server 16 includescorresponding media filter files. Generally, the media filteringcapability employs the media filtering files in order to alter play of amultimedia presentation according to user selections. In some particulararrangements, the media filtering capability and media filter files arethose described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,898,799 and 6,889,383 and U.S.application Ser. No. 11/104,924 referenced and incorporated above. Inthese particular arrangements, media filter files are provided forvarious movie titles available on some form of memory suitable forstoring video and/or audio, such as DVD. The media filter files defineportions of a movie that are associated with various types of scenes andlanguage potentially unsuitable for certain audiences, such as portionsof a movie with graphic violence, gory violence, sexually explicitbehavior, explicit drug use, etc. A user may elect to have certain typesof scenes skipped or muted. The media filtering capability monitors playof the movie and scenes identified in the filter file. When the mediafiltering capability identifies an elected type of scene, it operates toperform a skip of the scene or to mute the audio associated with thescene.

FIGS. 2-6 illustrate a method for downloading one or more audio or videomedia content filters from the server 16 and storage 18 to the clientmedia player 12. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate operations that are primarilyperformed at the client computing device, although some of the operationmay occur at the server. On the other hand, FIGS. 5-6 illustrateoperations that are primarily performed at the server, although some ofthe operations occur at the client.

FIGS. 7-36 illustrate some examples of user menus that are presented ona display and provide an input medium for a user to interface with theclient device or server. Some of the menus are primarily informationalin nature, i.e., the screen displays text describing ongoing orsubsequent operations. In one example, the user interacts with the menusby way of a remote control. Different features (buttons) of the menusmay be highlighted by way of manipulating arrow keys on the remotecontrol. When the appropriate button is highlighted, the actionassociated with the button is taken by depressing a “select,” “enter,”or a similar remote control key. The client may also include other inputmechanisms such as a keyboard, integrated keys, touch screen, etc. Thevarious menu screens of FIGS. 7-36 presented to the user are shown,along with an indication of the next menu screen and associated playerfunction that are provided as a result of the particular front panel orremote control button pressed by the user. The descriptive textassociated with each menu generally corresponds with the operation ofFIGS. 2-6. In the particular embodiment associated with the menu screenspresented herein, the options provided to the user at times depend onwhether the media player allows filter installation via a CD, DVD, orother removable memory media, in addition to filter installation by wayof a data communication medium and the client server arrangementsdescribed herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, the process of loading a filter not currentlyresiding in the media player is initiated by the player recognizing thata removable memory (e.g., DVD) with media content that has nocorresponding filter has been loaded in the player (operation 20). Forease of discussion, the remainder of this application will typicallyrefer to media content in terms of one particular type of media content,i.e., a motion picture movie provided on DVD. A movie, however, is onlyone particular form of media content that may be associated withembodiments conforming to the present invention. Any other forms ofmedia content and multimedia content may also be applicable toembodiments conforming to the present invention. Once the media playerdetermines the identity of the movie and the lack of a filter for thatmovie, the media player provides an on-screen menu which allows the userto obtain a filter for the movie. If filter updates by way of removablememory media are not supported in the player, the initial menu providedis that shown in the menu of FIG. 7. Alternatively, if filter updatesvia removable memory media are supported, in addition to those providedby way of a client server arrangement, the menu of FIG. 9 is presentedto the user. One particular media player configured to receive mediacontent filters from alternative storage mediums is described in U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/641,678 titled “Video Player Configuredto Receive Playback Filters From Alternative Storage Mediums,” which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

Whether or not filter updates via CD or DVD are allowed, the user isprovided in the menus of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 with a set of three on-screenbuttons which allow the user to either obtain more information about thefilter, begin the process of loading the filter into the DVD player, orplay the loaded disc without filtering the content. When the userselects the “Normal Play” option, the media player will play the loadedDVD without the benefit of any filters, thus allowing the DVD to playwithout any skipping of the video and audio signals, or muting of theaudio signal. As an aid to the user, the on-screen menu will display thefunction of the Normal Play button when highlighted by way of the arrowkeys, as shown in the menu of FIG. 10. In an alternative embodiment, theplayer may prevent playback of the disc altogether by way of passwordprotection. In either case, no filter associated with that disc will beloaded, and non-filtered play will begin.

The user may choose to obtain a filter by way of the “Filtered Play”menu option shown in the menus of FIGS. 7 and 9. If use of a CD, DVD, orsome other form of removable memory for loading of filters is supported,selection of the Filtered Play button in the menu of FIG. 9 displays themenu of FIG. 12. The FIG. 12 menu provides the user with a choice ofeither downloading the corresponding filter over a phone connection (viathe “Download” button), or allowing loading of the filter by way of adisc (via the “Insert Disc” button), as indicated (operation 22).Selection of the Insert Disc button then causes the DVD to prompt theuser to load the disc containing the filter of interest (operation 24),unless the insufficient memory is available in the DVD player toallowing loading of the filter. Lack of filter memory is addressed anddescribed in greater detail below.

If the Download button of the FIG. 12 menu is selected, or in the casethat loading a filter via DVD or CD is not a supported option, severalstatus checks typically are executed by the media player to determine ifdownloading the filter is possible. For example, the player firstdetermines if the player is currently deactivated (operation 26).Deactivation of the player, typically denoted within the player by wayof a stored deactivation code or setting a flag, indicates that the userhas never activated the player to take advantage of media contentfilters, has discontinued his account with the filter provider, hasallowed his account to lapse (e.g., by not paying a monthly subscriptionfee), or for some other reason the player is not currently in an activestate, i.e., ready to accept new filters. If the player is deactivated,the DVD player provides the menu of FIG. 11, instructing the user tocontact the filter provider to activate or reactivate his account, thusproviding the user with renewed access to a variety of media contentfilters (operation 28). Access to the filter provider may be provided byway of phone, e-mail, web site, or other means. This menu also providesa location whereby the user can insert a code supplied by the filterprovider to reactivate the player (operation 30), thus enablingsubsequent installation of filters. Otherwise, filter installation willnot be possible, and the user may then elect to play the disc in “NormalPlay” mode (operation 32), as described above.

In one embodiment of the invention, the initial activation of a mediaplayer after purchase may be implemented by way of a single code thatmay activate all media players equipped to install media content filtersfrom the filter provider. Such a code may even be published on awebsite, or included with the documentation supplied with the player. Onthe other hand, a first reactivation, such as after a user account wasterminated, would be implemented by way of a second, more private, codespecifically employable for that media player. Further reactivations, ifallowed, would each likely require separate reactivation codes as well.

Upon reactivation of an inactive account (operation 30) or verificationof the active status of the player (operation 26), the media playerdetermines whether the movie is scheduled to have a filter file. In oneexample, the player checks a Master Index residing within the player todetermine if the content on the currently loaded disc will ever have acorresponding filter (operation 34 of FIG. 1). Generally, the MasterIndex provides a list of films for which media content filters arecurrently available. A current Master Index is downloaded to playermemory whenever the player connects to the server. The Master Index mayalso be updated (replaced with most recent version) when a filter discor other removable memory is in communication with the player. Inaddition, a list of movies for which a filter will never be generated isalso supplied. Many movies and similar presentations do notrealistically contain any objectively objectionable content. Forexample, many G-rated (General Audience) children's movies do notcontain any sexual, violent or profane material that warrant beingskipped or muted by a media content filter. If no filter will even beproduced for the disc in question, the menu of FIG. 23 or a similar menuis provided indicating that no filter is available. The menu also allowsthe user to select the Normal Play option to play the disc without afilter (operation 32).

If the disc content is the potential target of a filter, the mediaplayer checks the Master Index to determine if such a filter isavailable for download (operation 36). If the Master Index indicatesthat the filter is not available, the player then determines whether theMaster Index has been updated recently from the filter provider(operation 38). Updating of the Master Index may be considered recent ifit has occurred, for example, within the last twelve hours. In otherembodiments, an update may be considered recent only if it has occurredwithin the last few minutes or hours, or within the last few days orweeks. If the information in the Master Index is considered up-to-date,the media player presents the menu of FIG. 23 or a similar menu toindicate that a filter is not available (operation 40), and to allow theuser to play the DVD without content filtering (operation 32). If theMaster Index is current and the filter was not available in operation36, then the player assumes the filter is not available. Thisdetermination is made without connecting to the server, which optimizesefficiency and cost concerns by not connecting when it is not necessary.

If the Master Index indicates that a filter associated with the loadeddisc is available, or if the Master Index has not been updated recently,the DVD player may additionally check if there is any available memoryfor an additional filter (operation 42). Determinations of sufficientmemory is identified at several times in the methods described herein.It is possible to eliminate or rearrange the time of thesedeterminations, or eliminate the determinations altogether. A method fordeleting filters in order to provide sufficient memory for a new filteris described in detail below. At the time of determining whether thereis sufficient memory in the local storage for additional filters, theplayer or server may further determine whether the particular filter forthe movie has been recently deleted from the player, or whether it hasbeen deleted repeatedly. In such instances, the player may prohibit aconnection with the server or the server may prohibit downloading of thefilter. Such prohibition may be necessary at times to prohibit frequentunnecessary connections to the server or other system abuse.

Assuming available memory space for a filter, the media player thenprovides the menu of FIG. 8 to alert the user to prepare a communicationmedium, such as a phone line, network connection, cable, DSL line,wireless port, Cellular, satellite, line of sight devices, microwave,radio transmissions, etc., for use by the media player to enable receiptof the filter. In other words, with reference to the particular exampleof a dialup connection, a currently unused phone line should beconnected to the media player if one has not already been provided.After a communication medium is prepared, the user is directed to selectthe “Get Filter” button of the menu of FIG. 8 to allow communicationwith the server, typically a computer, of the filter provider. Inalternative embodiments, connection to the filter provider server mayoccur by way of wireless connection, Ethernet, or other connectionmeans.

In another embodiment, the filter provider server may actually be acomputer not located at the site of the filter provider. For example,the server may actually be a computer located in the home of the user oris on a network accessible by the user, wherein the computer hasdownloaded the files from the filter provider or another source. In thatcase, the media player may connect to the home computer containing thefilters by any means, including phone connection, Internet, UniversalSerial Bus (USB), or wireless (for example, infrared) connection.Alternatively, the client may be a computer separate from the mediaplayer. Filter files are downloaded to memory of the client, and thentransferred to the media player memory. The transfer may occur over acommunication medium or the filters may be stored to a removable memorymedia and physically transported to the media player.

Once the user presses the Get Filter button, the media player (client)checks an internal memory location to determine the type of account theuser maintains with the filter provider (server). Such information istypically loaded into the media player the first time the media playerconnects to the filter provider server. As a result, if the nextconnection will be the initial connection, the player may assume aparticular type of account prior to downloading the actual accountinformation from the filter provider server. If the user possesses a“single filter” account, which allows the user to purchase singlefilters one at a time from the filter provider, the media playerdisplays the menu of FIG. 14, which inquires whether the user wishes topurchase the filter associated with the loaded disc (operation 44). Inan alternative embodiment, the menu may display the cost of the filter(e.g., $1.00) to the user, depending upon whether the cost of the filteris reflected in the Master Index. In addition, if the Master Index doesnot indicate a cost for that specific filter, the menu of FIG. 14displays the cost, an estimated cost, or a range of costs, for thatfilter. The user may then decline to purchase the filter (FIG. 15,“Cancel” selected), in which case the player displays the menu of FIG.7, as described above, to allow the user to play the disc without afilter (operation 32).

Alternatively, the user may instead elect to purchase the single filterby selecting the Purchase button of FIG. 14, in which case the playerpresents the menu of FIG. 16, or may elect to purchase by selecting the“Cancel” button as shown in FIG. 15. The FIG. 16 menu includes an inputwindow or window where the user may enter a password to allow thepurchase to take place (operation 46). The user may also be prompted toenter a user name, account name, or the like. If the user enters a validpassword, the player may then establish a connection with the filterprovider server.

Returning to the menu of FIG. 12, if the user instead maintains a“subscriber” type of account with the filter provider, an inquiry to theuser to purchase the filter is not required, and the password entrywindow of FIG. 16 is presented to allow connection of the player to thefilter provider (operation 46).

Prior to connecting with the filter provider, the media player mayoptionally check whether enough memory space is available to store newfilters (operation 48). The player may further make the determinationbased on the type of account. More specifically, if the user has asingle filter account, memory space for only a single filter isrequired. However, if a subscriber account is involved, several filtersmay be downloaded during any given connection with the server. Forexample, if the user subscription allows fifteen filters to bedownloaded per connection, space for fifteen additional filters shouldbe available. In either case, if enough space is currently available inthe internal memory of the media player, the connection process ensues,as described below (FIG. 5).

If, instead, available player memory space is lacking, existing filtershave to be deleted in order to have sufficient space for new filters. Inone particular implementation, the player displays the menu of FIG. 24.The menu provides an alphabetical organization of the filters currentlyloaded in the media player (operation 50), along with an indication ofthe amount or percentage of memory storage currently filled. The usermay then select any particular filters for deletion, thereby freeingadditional space in the memory of the player for the new filters(operation 52). The player may require a deletion of a number of filterscorresponding with the number of filters that will be downloaded. Forexample, if the user maintains a subscription allowing for 15 filtersper download, then the player will require deletion of 15 filter filesbefore downloading. Additionally or alternatively, the player mayprovide the menus of FIGS. 33 and 34, which notify the user of a numberof filters that are the oldest, least used, or both, currently residingwithin the player. The number of filters selected may further correspondto the number of filters previously identified by the player that may bedownloaded from the filter provider, depending on the type of accountmaintained by the user. By way of the DVD player arrow keys or similarinput means, the user may peruse the list of filters selected by theplayer for deletion, as shown in the menus of FIGS. 35 and 36. The userthen has the option to keep (by way of the “Cancel” button) or delete(via the “Delete” button) the selected filters.

If the media player then determines that enough space is available forthe expected number of filters to be downloaded (operation 54), themedia player may begin initiating a connection with the filter provider(operation 56). The nature of the actual connection may take on anynumber of forms. In one particular example, the connection with thefilter provider may be a simple modulator-demodulator (modem) dialupconnection, for which only the phone number of the filter providerproviding dialup access to the filters is required. The user may alsohave to enter a user name and password. Alternatively the player mayautomatically transmit the user name and password when a connection tothe server is established. The phone number may be preprogrammed in themedia player by the player manufacturer, or may be a number provided tothe user by the filter provider. In the latter situation, the mediaplayer would provide the menu of FIG. 32 or a similar menu by which theuser could input the dialup number by way of numeric keys of the frontpanel or remote control device of the player.

Alternatively or in addition to a direct dialup connection, the mediaplayer may allow the user to employ his own Internet service provider(ISP) to connect with the filter provider via the Internet. In thatcase, the media player may allow an option to preload into the mediaplayer information required to initiate an Internet connection. Forexample, the menu of FIG. 25 allows the user to enter his ISPinformation by pressing the right-arrow key. The media player then leadsthe user through a series of menus to enter the phone number (FIG. 26),user name (FIG. 27), and password (FIG. 27) of the user's ISP account.Such information may be entered by way of numeric keys, as describedabove, or via a alphanumeric array displayed on one of the menus (FIG.27). Each individual character of the array may then be selected andentered by way of the normal arrow and select keys of the front panel orremote control of the player.

In other embodiments, the media player may receive the ISP informationand similar data via another method than remote control. For example,the user may store the information on a transferable medium (such as aCD, a memory stick, or the like) by way of a computer or similar devicehaving a suitable human-interface input device, such as a keyboard, andthen transfer that information to the media player, for example by wayof the DVD reader of the DVD player, a memory stick interface, or otherinterface of the media player that receives the memory medium. In analternative embodiment, the ISP connection information or similar datamay be generated on a computer and sent by way of the Internet directlyto the media player by its own Internet connection. In either case, theISP information or other data normally transferable from the user to theplayer by way of remote control or other standard means would be storedin the player more quickly and efficiently.

After the ISP information is entered, the player may then test theconnection using the entered information while displaying the menu ofFIG. 29, which relates the progress of the test. This progress may beshown by indicating when dialing is occurring, when the user name andpassword are being transferred, and the like. If the test of the ISPconnection is successful, the media player then displays the menu ofFIG. 30 or a similar menu indicating this fact. If the test isunsuccessful, a menu, such as the menu of FIG. 31, may be shownindicating that the test was not successful, possibly along with anindication of the source of the error, such as an incorrect phonenumber, user name, or password.

The dialup number or ISP information discussed above may be provided atany point prior to the media player attempting to establish a connectionwith the filter provider. For example, the user may program theinformation into the media player before a disc is inserted into theplayer for viewing.

Presuming the required connection information has been loaded into themedia player, a connection to obtain a filter may commence (operation56). The media player dials the programmed phone number to establish theconnection. While the connection is being attempted, the player presentsthe menu of FIG. 17 indicating so. If the connection fails, the mediaplayer communicates this fact to the user via the menu of FIG. 19,possibly with some indication as to the cause of the failure.

Generally, as described below, the operations executed by both theserver and the client player while the connection is active arestructured such that connection time is reduced, thus making the use ofthe remote connection between player and the server both time- andcost-efficient. In another embodiment, efficiency may not be of primeimportance, thus allowing a different ordering of operations during theconnection.

If the connection to the server of the filter provider is successful,the media player then transmits to the server an indication of theidentity of the media player, usually in the form of the player serialnumber (operation 58). The server then consults a local database forinformation concerning the player and account, and may transmit someinformation to the player (operation 60). For example, the server mayaccess any information associated with the account identified with theserial number, such as the account name, which may be transmitted to themedia player. Also, the account information in the local database may beupdated with any pertinent information available to the server at thetime, such as the time of the current connection. Any customer servicemessages, such as a new customer service phone number or new dialupnumber, may be transmitted to the media player for display via a menu.

The server also determines the status of the player and related account(operation 62). Upon receipt of an account, the media player maytransmit information regarding the currently-requested filter download(operation 64). This information includes the filter ID number,associated filter version and expected price of the filter, ifobtainable within the Master Index residing within the player. If thefilter information is not available via the Master Index, the player maysend some other indication of the identity of the loaded disc in lieuthereof. Also, the player may send an indication of the amount of freespace available for filters in the memory of the player.

If the server cannot identify an account associated with the receivedplayer serial number (operation 62), the server may transmit anactivation code to the player (operation 66). The player may thendisplay a new account message, similar to the menu of FIG. 11 describedabove, informing the user as to how the player may be activated(operation 28). If a code is not promptly entered, the connection mayterminate after some predetermined time (operation 68). The player mayalso allow the user to play the currently loaded disc without the use ofa filter (operation 70). The player will be deactivated when the codehas been sent. In one case, the activation code is sent and theconnection is immediately terminated, and the player will display thenecessary information for the user to be able to reactivate theirplayer. The user will need to enter this activation code, that isusually kept on the server and accessed by a customer servicerepresentative. The player will be deactivated when the code has beensent. In one case, the activation code is sent and the connection isimmediately terminated, and the player will display the necessaryinformation for the user to be able to reactivate their player. The userwill need to enter this activation code, that is usually kept on theserver and accessed by a customer service representative.

If the server was able to identify an account in the database with theplayer serial number, but determines that the account is not current(deactivated) (operation 62), the server will transmit a reactivationcode to the media player, as described above, and then subsequentlyclose the connection (operation 68). The media player then provides theuser information via the menu of FIG. 11 or a similar menu (as describedabove) indicating how the user may reactivate the player and account(operation 28). The user may then contact the filter provider, asdescribed above, to reactivate the account before attempting to obtainmore content filters. As before, the currently loaded disc may then beplayed without the benefit of a filter (operations 70/32). In oneparticular implementation, the server determines whether the user'saccount is a single or subscription.

Presuming the server has verified the active status of the connectedplayer, the server then determines whether the requested filter (by wayof the filter ID and version previously transferred by the player) isavailable (operation 72). If the filter is not available, the serverindicates so to the player, which informs the user by way of the menu ofFIG. 21 (operation 74). The message shown may be a dialog sent from theserver or generated internally by the media player. The connection isalso closed (operation 68). The user may then play the disc without afilter (operation 70).

If the requested filter is available (operation 72), the serverdetermines which type of account is involved: a single filter account ora subscription account. In one embodiment, if the account of the singlefilter type, the server determines the current price of the filter(operation 76). The server may then compare the current price with theexpected price (if any) relayed by the player from the Master Index(operation 78). If the price has changed, the server may send a messageto be displayed on the menu of FIG. 18 indicating that the per filterprice has changed, and that the new price will be effective on the nextdownload after the transfer of the current filter (operation 80). Theserver then determines if the filter has already been purchased(operation 82), and if so, sends a message to be displayed on the menuof FIG. 18 indicating that the filter was previously purchased, and thatthe user will not be billed for downloading the filter (operation 94).

Regardless of the type of account involved, the server then prepares totransfer the one or more filters to be downloaded to the DVD player(operation 86). More specifically, the server places the requestedfilter (and additional filters, if a subscription account is involved)in a transmission queue for transmission to the player via theconnection, and initiates the transfer. The server may also send a waittime associated with the requested filter to the player. Generally, thewait time indicates the next time the player will be allowed requestdownload of this same filter to prevent multiple attempts to downloadthe filter within a short time span. In one embodiment, the wait timemay be transferred to the player in the case the filter is not yetavailable. In that case, the wait time may be set such that the playerwill not request that filter until the next possible time the filter isavailable for download.

In one particular implementation, if the user's account is asubscription then the server will attempt to send extra (high-use)filters, in addition to the particular filter associated with the movie,as described below before closing the connection. Sending the extrafilters optimizes the use of the connection, and can help to eliminatethe need for establishing later connections.

In addition, the server may update the account information, update a logindicating the player connected to the server, and update a transactionlog to reflect the current filters to be purchased and downloaded. Thisinformation may be processed immediately, or may be batch processed atpredetermined intervals, such as, for example, once per hour. Also, theserver may also send an updated Master Index to be stored in the mediaplayer for later access by the user, as described above, as well as anindication of the filters to be downloaded via the connection to theplayer.

Once the filters are placed in the queue, and the transfer is initiated,the media player begins receiving each filter, one at a time, stores (or“commits”) the filter received to the filter storage area of the player,and then responds via the connection to the server with an indicationthat the filter has been committed (operation 88). In anotherembodiment, the media player receives multiple filters in a singleburst, and commits them before responding to the server. The server thenrecords the identity of the filter that has been committed by theplayer, updates the transmission queue by removing the committed filter,and updates the account to indicate the commission of the filter(operation 90).

The server then tracks the number of free memory blocks available in theplayer by reducing the number of available memory blocks in the player(as indicated previously by the player) by the amount of memory occupiedby the transferred filter committed by the player (operation 92).Further, the server sends an indicator, such as a flag, to determinewhether the player has enough free memory blocks in order to continuereceiving filters. In response to the continue flag, the player checksif sufficient memory remains for another filter, and responds to theserver with an indication (operation 94).

Next, the server determines if there is sufficient memory space tocontinue (operation 96). If insufficient memory remains for more filtersin the queue to be transferred, the server indicates an estimated amountof available memory required for a subsequent download of filters. Theplayer then closes the connection and displays a warning to the user byway of the menu of FIG. 22 or a similar menu indicating that the filterdownload could not be completed (operation 98). Furthermore, a playermay set an internal flag indicating that insufficient memory wasavailable to complete the download. The player may then proceed to checkwhether the filter requested for the loaded disc has been loaded, asdescribed below. Further, the player may provide some estimate of theamount of space required to load additional filters (operation 98) andmay direct the user to the filter deletion operation (FIG. 24).

If, on the other hand, sufficient free memory is available fordownloading another filter, the player determines if the next filter tobe downloaded is already loaded into the player (operation 102). If so,the player informs the server, which then updates the queue and theaccount as if the filter had been transmitted to the media player.Otherwise, the server again checks if any filters remain in the queue,and downloads the next filter to the player (operation 104). Downloadingof each filter may effectively encompass operations 86-96.

Once the queue is empty (operation 106), indicating all filters havebeen downloaded, or if the transfer was interrupted for some reason,such as insufficient memory in the player, the server may indicate tothe player an estimated amount of space that may be required for thenext filter (or series of filters) remaining in the queue to bedownloaded (operation 98). The size of the estimated amount of spacedepends upon, for example, whether a single filter account or asubscription account is involved. In one embodiment, the filter memorywithin the media player is defined in terms of “blocks” of somepredetermined size. Even if the number of filters to be transmitted isknown the indication of the amount of space for the filters to bedownloaded remains an estimate, as each filter may occupy a differentnumber of blocks in memory. In one embodiment, the estimate may be a“worst case” estimate, determined by the largest filter possible orcurrently available from the filter provider.

At the conclusion of the transfer, the player then determines whetherthe filter associated with the loaded disc has been received (operation108). If so, the connection is closed, and an indication that thedownload is complete is provided by the menu of FIG. 20 (operation 100).The loaded disc may then be played employing the content filter. If thefilter for the loaded disc has not been downloaded, a message via themenu of FIG. 21 or a similar menu is presented to the user indicatingthat the filter for the loaded disc could not be downloaded at thistime, possibly with an indication as to the source of the problem, suchas a lack of available memory in the player. In that case, the userwould have the option of playing the disc without the benefit of thefilter.

Throughout the time a connection is maintained between the server andthe player, the server may track the elapsed time while awaiting aresponse from the player. In one embodiment, if the elapsed time exceedsa predetermined threshold, such as, for example, twenty seconds, theserver may close the connection with the player.

Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a method and associated userinterface for downloading media content filters to a media player orsimilar device from a filter provider by way of a phone, the Internet,or other remote connection. While the disclosed embodiments aredescribed in specific terms, other embodiments encompassing principlesof the invention are also possible. For example, while embodimentsdiscuss a phone connection, other methods of connecting electronicdevices, such as by way of wireless networking, may also be employed.Also, while specific examples of menus presented to the user have beenprovided, many other ways of presenting the same or related informationmay be employed to the same end. Further, while specific examplesparticularly discuss a DVD player, other types of media players capableof displaying movies and similar media presentations, may also beutilized within the scope of the invention.

Throughout the application, reference is made to the filter storagememory of the media player. While such memory is ordinarily thought ofas memory integrated circuits permanently installed on a printed circuitboard of the player, removable storage media may also be used to storethe filters employed by the player. For example, memory sticks, USBsticks, removable flash memory, and the like, connectable to the aninterface of the player accessible by the user, may be employed tosimilar end. As a result, a removable storage medium may be coupled witha home computer of the user. The user may then download the filters overthe Internet from the filter provider, storing those filters into theremovable storage medium. The medium could then be removed from the homecomputer, and connected to the media player by way of an interface ofthe player designed for the medium, such as a USB port. The player couldthen access the filters for use in filtering the content of the DVDsassociated with those filters.

Further, operations and menus are presented in one particular order. Theorder, however, is but one example of the way that operations and menusmay be provided. Operations and menus may be rearranged, modified, oreliminated in any particular implementation while still conforming toaspects of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A method for accessing at least one media content filterfrom a remote storage comprising: establishing communication with aremote computing device over a network connection; accessing an at leastone media content filter for a multimedia presentation from the remotecomputing device, the multimedia presentation including encoded videodata, the at least one media content filter identifying at least onediscrete portion of the multimedia presentation with a first position inthe multimedia presentation and an another second position in themultimedia presentation and associated with at least one filteringaction associated with the portion of the multimedia presentation;automatically identifying and filtering presentation of portions of themultimedia presentation content during decoding of the encoded videodata, using the at least one media content filter, and emptying from amultimedia buffer information needed for decoding the multimediapresentation but not presented in the filtered presentation.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the multimedia presentation is not altered toinclude information needed to perform the at least one filtering action.3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one filtering actionincludes at least one identification of a portion of the multimediapresentation to skip.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least onefiltering action includes at least one identification of a portion ofthe multimedia presentation to mute.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinthe memory is in operable communication with the media player, thememory selected from at least the group comprising a random accessmemory, a flash memory, a memory stick, an optical disc, and a magneticdisc.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the multimedia presentation isstored on a removable memory.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein theremovable memory is a DVD.
 8. The method of claim 5 further comprisingtransmitting an expected price for at least one media content filter toa server device.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising receivingan actual price from the server device and displaying the actual priceon a display operably coupled with the media player.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising providing for purchasing the at least onemedia content filter at the actual price.
 11. A media player comprising:at least one processing unit configured to identify a multimediapresentation stored in at least one memory configuration incommunication with the at least one processing unit; a communicationunit configured to communicate with a remote computing device providingat least one media content filters associated with a respective one ormore multimedia presentations, the at least one media content filteridentifying at least one discrete portion of the multimedia presentationwith a position in the multimedia presentation and another position inthe multimedia presentation and associated with at least one filteringaction associated with the portion of the multimedia presentation; theat least one processing unit operably coupled with the communicationunit, the at least one processing unit configured to access at least themedia content filter associated with the identified multimediapresentation; the at least one processing unit configured toautomatically identify and filter presentation of portions of themultimedia presentation content during decoding of the encodedvideo-data, —using the at least one media content filter, and to emptyfrom a multimedia buffer information needed for decoding the multimediapresentation but not presented in the filtered presentation.
 12. A mediaplayer in claim 11 further comprising means for filtering the multimediapresentation using the at least one media content filter accessed on theremote computing device.